Seat structure of a power lawn mower sulky



April 3, 1956 H. J. STEGEMAN 2,740,462

SEAT STRUCTURE OF A POWER LAWN MOWER SULKY Original Filed Feb. 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l ill I? 43 lllll Illlll I 77 9 o 57 /5 69 15 y 65 47 46 I N VE NTOR HENHYLLSTEEEIVIAN t I y/ 1 ATTORNEY April 3, 1956 J STEGEMAN 2,740,462

SEAT STRUCTURE OF A POWER LAWN MOWER SULKY Original Filed Feb. 23, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 74 I INVENTOR HENRYJETEBEMAN ATTORNEY 2,740,462 Patented Apr. 3, 1956 "Ice SEAT STRUCTURE OF A POWER LAWN MOWER SULKY Henry J. Stegeman, Fairfield, :Conm, assignorto The :Locke Steel Chain Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a-corporation of Connecticut Original application February 23, 1950, Serial No. 145,840, now Patent No. 2,676,032, :dated April 520, 1954. Divided and this application 'June 6, s195-1,tSerial No. 230,164

1 Claim. (Cl. 155-5) The invention relates to new and useful improvements in seat mounting structure fora riding sulkyfor a 'power lawn mower or tractor or the like.

The objects and advantages of "the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. Howeven-itis to be understood that the invention is not limited tothe details disclosed butincludes all such'variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of :the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

'In the drawings: Fig. l is a side elevational view showing a-portion 'of a power driven lawn mower having a=castor=wheel'rnounted by parts providingfor easy and quiek-dismounting of the 'castor Wheel and for the-mounting-of a sulky on the mower;

Fig. '2 is a side elevational 'view showing only the rearward portion of such lawn mower but showing 'my :improvedsulky attached thereto'and replacingthe 'castor wheel at -Fig. 1, the near wheel ofthesulky being -omitted; Fig. 3 is atop plan view taken as along'theline'33 of Fig. 2;

taken as along the plane of the *line 7-7 of Fig. 2;

'Fig. '8 i is a sectional'view I as on the same plane -as "Fig. *fi showing the-parts detached; and

Fig.9 is an isometric of an attaching pin'employed.

This'present application is 'a division of 'my application Ser. No. l45,840-filed 'February'23, 1950 forSulkyHitch, -.nowiPatent Num'ber2,676,032.

The present invention comprises improved sulky and :means for attaching asulky-toa power lawn mower such as, for example, that disclosed in Patent "1,944,584 of January 23, 1934. For the purpose .of "illustrating the invention, certain parts of the lawn mower disclosed .in

that :patent "have been employed although a detailed description of such parts is believed unnecessary .here.

-Re'ferring in detail tothe present drawings,a power lawn mower is generally designated 10 and .the same includes a frame 11 upon which is carried a motor '12 which through means (not shown) drives ground engaging :rolls (not shown) .aswell as other parts "of the machine. Themower illustrated is-of the-typeemploying .three cutting :reels comprising a main forwardreel (not shown) and side reels oricutter mechanism generally designated .13 and 14, respectively. The .mower frame 11 includes a rearward extension 15 to be "hereinafter .further referred to. .Additionally, '-'the mower includes spaced .rearwardly extending handles 16.1between which extends a cross brace 17 rigidly supporting a depending tubular member 18. The handles 16 incline upwardly and rearwardly and at their rear ends are off-set downwardlyproviding hand grips 19.

These parts form a very rigid structure preventing any twisting yield'of the'tubular member 18 when the sulky "tongue 42 (to the described) is at an angle and'when the driving torque'of the motor has a tendency to raise orlower'the frame extension 15, depending on the direction in which the power is applied. Since'the details 'of construction of the actual mower elements of the mower lll'form no-part of the present invention, further description of the details is believed unnecessary here.

Theextension 15 of the mower frame 11 terminates in a structure generally designated 20 and comprising right- 'angularly related tubular portions 21and '22. Of these, portion 21 is a vertically arranged bearing member and *receives and restrains the lower end portion of the tubular member 18, While portion 22 is located horizontally. A .foot bar 23, also substantially horizontally arranged, extends through the tubular portion 22 projecting from both ends of the latter and has its'mid-portion in such housing. Preferably, bar 23 is secured against casual longitudinal movement by a screw or the like 24.

As will beseen, particularly by reference to Figs. 6 and-8, a sleeve-like bearing or' bushing 25 is received in the lowerend of the tubularmember 18. The lower -=endof member 18 terminates substantially flush with'the lower end of the tubular portion 21 0f the member 20 'and-thebushing or bearing 25 includes anenlarged diameter head like portion '26 extending below and abutted by the lower ends of the housing portion 21 and the tubularsmember 18.

' Ascrew27 is-threadedinto housing-portion 21 inradial relation thereto and has its inner unthreaded end portion 28 passing through registering openings inthe lower por- :tion of the tubular member 18 and'the sleeve or bushing 25 whereby theilatter is secured in .place'against casual zmovementand the lower end of the:member 181is tied to the member 20 which is shown as :rigid iwith .themower .frame *eXtension .-15. The screw 27 is conveniently :provided .with :a' greasefitting 27a.

iWhen'the-mower is being used without a-sulky, a castor i generally designated 29 is employed. 'Such castor includes :a wheel 3.0 mounted between the arms of a'fork:structure 31 at the upperend of which is a head-likeiportion .32 :rigidly mounting apivot post v70 of the construction of a pivot post 67 of the sulky and later to be described. The mentioned pivot post 70 is rigid with the fork .frame .31 audit will be-understoodithat thewheel '30 is rotatable zon the axis .33 at the lower end of the fork. 'When'the -castor'29 is being used, the mentioned pivotpost 7.0iis entered into the .bushing25 and is releasably'held therein aswill hereinafter fully appear.

.My improved sulky -is generally designated 34. ".This sulky includes 'a-tubular shaft or axle 35 atits respective .ends mounting ground engaging wheels 36 and 37. Clamped-.on the axle 35 is a bracket member including an [upwardly directed portion 38 and an integral horizontal forwardly directed portion 39 -as well as a'separate .horizontal portion 40 for cooperation with said .portion 39. This bracket structure is clamped on the shaft .35 upon the tightening of .nuts applied to bolts 41 passing through .portions 39 -and 40. These bolts also fasten to the axle'housing a forwardly. extending connecting mem ber comprising a sulky tongue 42.

An angle bracket, generally designated 43, provides for relative movement between the sulky and mowerabout both vertical and horizontal axes, as will fully appear. This "bracket includes a horizontal platedike portion from which depends a pair of widely spaced bearings or tubular'exiens'ions 45"and46 slidably and'rota'tala'ly receiving the sulky tongue 42. Turning or rotational move- 45 and 46 is about a horizontal axis and permits the sulky axle 35 to flex, independent of the mower axle, to com pensate for uneven contour of the lawn or ground surface.

Between bearing 45 and 46, a spacer bushing 47 is located and is fastened in the desired relation, lengthwise of the tongue 42, by a bolt 48. The spacer bushing 47 takes the end thrust, forward and backward, and is shown as having a plurality of holes or perforations 49. Through the selected one of these holes, the bolt 48 is passed to assemble the sulky in the desired relation to the mower whereby the distance between the sulky seat and the foot bar 23 is adjusted to suit various leg lengths of the operators. In this connection it will be understood that the bolt 48 has a fixed position lengthwise of the sulky tongue 42. Y

Bracket 43 also includes a forwardly extending upwardly directed arm 50 at its upper end mounting a split bearing 51 (see Fig. the portions of which are clamped together on tightening of the bolts 52. Split bushing halves 53 and 54 are fastened by headed elements 55 and 56 to the respective members of the split bearing 51. The tubular member 18 extends through this split hearing when the sulky 34 is hitched to the mower 10, and this split bearing is aconvenience in attaching and detaching the sulky.

The horizontal plate-like portion 4-4 of the bracket 43 is laterally enlarged (see particularly Fig. 7) in its forward portion and is divided. or bifurcated being providedf with a pair of arms 57 and 58. A stud 59 extends upwardly from the upper side of the arm 57 and this stud is shown as including a reduced diameter pin-like portion 60 passing through said arm and at the underside thereof such portion is upset or headed as at'61, whereby the stud is rigidly secured to the arm. Similarly, a stud 62 projects upwardly from the upper side of the arm 58 and has a reduced diameter lower end portion 63 passing through such arm and at the underside thereof upset or headed as at 64. r

At its forward end and intermediate the arms 57 and 58, the portion 44 of bracket 43 is substantially thickened and strengthened as at 65 (see Fig. 6) and has a vertical opening 66 therethrough. A sulky pivot post 67 has its lower end portion 68 disposed in the opening 66 and then as by a cotter pin 69 or in any other suitable manner, this post is anchored to the bracket. Toward its upper end, but inwardly of such end, post 67 is provided withan annular groove 71. This post 67, as to length, diameter, location of groove 71, etc. is identical with the post 70 mentioned above as extending upwardly from the castor fork 31.

Post 67 together with hearing 51 provides on the bracket 43 two widely spaced bearings in vertical alignment and which together provide a vertical pivot point or axis between the mower and sulky and along which the sulky angle bracket 43 is attached to the mower. The space between the lower bearing, i. e., part 70 and bushing 25 and the upper bearing 51 is sufiicient to relieve the heavy torque strain when the driving power is applied either' forward or reverse. When the sulky is turned at an angle, this torque puts a twisting strain on the mower frame.

.This vertical pivot acts as a fifth wheel or steering knuckle on any wheeled vehicle and holds the mower and sulky rigid longitudinally and yet permits of lateral flexing for steering. When steering to the extreme right or left, the studs 59 and 62 will strike the frame extension 15 and prevent the mower and sulky from jaeksk'nifing when the mower is travelling in reverse.

When the sulky is attached to the mower 10, the post 67 is within the sleeve or bushing 25 and the parts are related as in Fig. 6. At this time, a spring pressed locking bolt 72 (shown alone in Fig. 9) has its inner end portion entering the groove 71 of post 67. Groove 71 is defined in part by a straight upper shoulder 73 and the inner end portion of bolt 72 is milled' or otherwise cut away on a pair of opposite sides providing it with flats 74. A small diameter finger piece or crossbar 75 passes through and is rigid with the outer end portion of the bolt 72. I

Clearly, locking bolt 72 is radially movable and at its outer end is engaged by an end portion of a presser member or bar 76 which bears against said outer end of the bolt. Through the other end of this presser member 76 passes an anchoring bolt 77 and surrounding the latter is a coil spring 78 bearing at its inner end against the member and at its outer end against the underside of the head of the bolt. Thus, spring 78 acting on the presser member 76 isconstantly urging the latter against the locking bolt 72 and thereby constantly urging the latter inwardly as from the position of Fig. 8fto that of Fig. 6.

At this time, when the post 67 is in the sleeve or bushing 25 and the bolt 72 is in its inner position with one of its flats 74 at the under side of the shoulder 73 of the post (Fig. 6) the split bearing 51 is assembled about the .71 in the post 67. Now the locking bolt 72 is turned until the finger piece 75 is in a vertical position (Fig. 8) or a position atninety degrees to its former position and its flattened end will'rest on the full diameter portion of the pivot post 67 above the groove 71 in the latter. Locking bolt 72 is thus prevented from entering'groove7l of post 67. Then by raising upwardly or upward tilting of the rear 'portion of the mower, the post 67 is free to slide from the bushing or sleeve 25 as shown in Fig. 8.

With the sulky released, the spring 78 and presser member 76 force the pin 72 into the member 21 until the finger pin 75 contacts part 21 whereupon pin 72 has reached the limit. of its inward movement. 1 The caster 29 may now be applied by raising the rear portion of the mower and insertingthe post of the castor into the sleeve 25. The top of the castor pivot post 70 being rounded or chamfered, on its cominginto contact with the inner end portion of the bolt 72, the latter is cammed aside and forced outwardly :until the post enters its bearing. Thereupon, on the finger pin being turned back to horizontal position the bolt 72 may again move inwardly to have its inner end partly enter the groove of saidcastor post and locks the castor in position.

From the above it will be understood that to remove the castor 29 from the mower 10 it is but necessary to shift the bolt 72 as from the position of Fig. 6 to that of Fig. 8 withdrawing the inner flattened end portion of the pin from under the shoulder of the groove of the post of the castor. As the bolt is withdrawn it is given the quarter mm above mentioned and then on elevating the rear portion of the mower to elevate the frame extension 15, the castor post may drop out of the bushing 25 separating the, castor from the mower.

Nowto again attach the sulky to the mower is a simple matter For this purpose, the sulky is brought into place 1 ad acent the mower. and its split bearing 51 being open,

that portion of the bearing integral or rigid with the arm 50 of the bracket 43 is brought against the rear side of the vertical tube 18 while the sulky pivot post 67- is inhorizontal position, the spring 78 acting through the presser bar 76 moves the pin 72 inwardly tohave it snap into the groove 71. Thereafter, the other half of the split bearing 51 is secured in place and the sulky is properly attached to the mower.

, In connection with this matter of inserting' the post 67 into the hearing or bushing sleeve 25, it is noted that thelower portion 68 of such post preferably has a loose fit in the opening 66 and is secured in place by a cotter pin 69. Therefore, the post 67 is not absolutely rigid with the casting flange or plate-like portion 44 and may tilt or wobble a bit and it is not necessary to absolutely align the rigid tubular member 18 and a straight rigid attaching post 67. This post being capable of wobbling or tilting slightly, it is easier to make the assembly.

In addition to the parts already described, sulky 34 includes a seat 80. This seat is shown as shaped up preferably of metal, although it may be of any desired material. As shown, the seat rests on the outer end portion 81 of an arm 82 and is secured against such portion by a bolt 83. This arm 82 is bifurcated at its inner or lower end portion where it includes portions 84 and 85. Extending from these portions along the rear side of the arms are strengthening ribs 86. The portions 84 and S5 straddle a perforated ear-like portion 87 in the upper end portion of the bracket arm 38 and a pin 88 passes through the aligned perforations in the ear 87 and the arm portions 84 and 85. This pin may have a tight fit in the car 87 or in the portions 84 and 85 or viceversa. However, the pin serves to pivotally or hingedly mount the arm 82 on the bracket arm 38. Bracket arm 38 includes a portion 89 extending above the ear 87 and at its upper end having a flat 90.

When the seat 80 is in a position of use, the lower portions of the ribs 86 of arm 82 straddle the portion 89 of the bracket arm 38 and that portion of the arm 82 toward its lower end, but just above its bifurcation and between said ribs, bears against the flat 90 of the bracket arm extension 89 whereby the seat is rigidly supported. However, because of the pivotal connection above described, the seat is adapted to be swung as from a position of use as shown by'the full lines in Figs. 2 and 3 forwardly to a position of non-use as to the broken line position of Fig. 2 wherein it rests against the angle bracket 43.

One purpose of this arrangement is to reduce the overall length of the machine for shipping purposes or the like but a very important purpose of this arrangement is the convenience it gives in the use of the machine. For example, tipping the seat forwardly to its dotted line position in Fig. 2 gets the seat out of the way when the operator is walking behind the machine.

With the sulky attached and the mower in use, if the mower starts up a relatively steep incline it may be that the mower cannot draw the sulky with a rider thereon, the usual lawn mower seldom has suflicient traction for this purpose. Thus, if the operators experience indicates that the mower cannot climb the incline with the rider on the sulky, the operator merely dismounts from the sulky seat and tilts the seat forwardly whereupon he may Walk immediately in back of the sulky and still hold onto the hand grips 19 of the shafts 16. Also, with the seat tilted forwardly, the operator may stand on the axle 35 in case he does not care to resume his seat at once. Reaching the top of the incline, without stopping the machine, the operator can flip the seat back into place and mount the sulky and continue to drive the machine over the lawn.

The cross bar 23 provides a foot rest and is, of course, used by the operator in steering the assembled mower and tractor. Steering is effected by applying pressure to the bar 23 through one foot or the other toward one end or the other of such bar.

A very short turn of the mower relative to the sulky which may cause the sulky wheels to contact the side cutting units is prevented owing to the presence of the studs 59 and 62 on the arms 57 and 58 of the platelike portion 44 of the sulky. In an assembled structure (see, for example, Fig. 3) the studs 59 and 62 are located at opposite sides of the mower frame extension 15. Thus, on any attempt to make too sharp a turn, the portion 15 of the mower frame will engage either the stud 59 or the stud 62, depending on the direction of the attempted sharp turn. Thus, a very sharp turn of the mower relative to the sulky cannot be made and the lateral spacing of the studs 59 and 62 limits any turn to one that may be safely made. Additionally, when steering to the extreme right or left, studs 59 and 62 will strike the frame extension 15 and prevent the mower and sulky from jack-knifing when the mower is travelling in reverse.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what 1 claim is:

In a seat structure of a sulky for attachment to a power lawn mower and the like, wherein said sulky includes a wheeled axle, a bracket clamped to the mid portion of said axle and including an upwardly directed arm, a second arm, means pivotally mounting said second arm at its lower end on an upper portion of said bracket arm, a seat on the upper end of said second arm, said second arm in its position of use extending upwardly and rearwardly from the upper portion of said bracket arm, and said bracket arm and said second arm including cooperating portions for supporting said seat in said position for use while said pivoting means provides for swinging of said seat forwardly and downwardly to a position forwardly of said bracket arm, and to a position below the upper portion of said arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 183,964 Pendergast Oct. 31, 1876 294,328 Norris et al Feb. 26, 1884 524,893 Farrant Aug. 21, 1894 651,539 Warren June 12, 1900 1,163,603 Nelson Dec. 7, 1915 1,543,304 Tomlinson June 23, 1925 1,587,366 Borchert June 1, 1926 1,680,236 Zimmerman Aug. 7, 1928 1,944,584 Stegeman et a1 Jan. 23, 1934 2,146,145 Huffman et al Feb. 7, 1939 2,221,278 Utterback Nov. 12, 1940 2,457,885 Gatch Jan. 4, 1949 2,533,573 Gabel Dec. 12, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 281,823 Great Britain Dec. 15, 1927 

